Cincinnati’s Coolest Hotel is A Free Art Museum!

This city is full of free entertainment around every corner, you just need to know where to look for it. In the case of the Contemporary Arts Center, a modern art museum downtown, there is literally free entertainment right around the corner. Whether you’re looking for classic oil paintings or contemporary pieces, the 21-C Hotel/Art Museum has something for you! Located at 609 Walnut Street downtown, the entrance to the hotel lobby serves as the entrance to their gallery as well. While the majority of the building functions as a hotel, the bottom two floors house some fantastic works of art.

The best part of this hotel is that you don’t have to be a guest to experience all the amazing things they have to offer. The entire gallery is free to the public year round, and is constantly changing, so seasonal trips are a must. From the large paintings on the walls to the interactive color projectors connected to the floor, the art at 21-C covers the entire spectrum from classical to modern, and from traditional to unusual.

Did we mention that it’s open 24/7, 365 days a year? That’s right. Any time of day (or night) that you are looking to get your art fix, 21-C’s doors are open. Besides, how do you know you won’t enjoy taking a 4 a.m. trip to the art museum by yourself until you try it? Perhaps you’ll be inspired to make your own art when you go home. Perhaps you’ll be too tired to make it through the entire galley, and end up purchasing a room to sleep in. Either way, there is something surreal about the middle of the night that might not be able to be felt by visiting the other museums in this city during their business hours.

Did we mention that they also have a rooftop cocktail lounge with an outstanding view of downtown? This classy, upscale rooftop is open seasonally, so check if they’re open before heading downtown for one of their specialty drinks, wines, or craft beers. Cheers!

Michael is a fan of hat pins, hammock naps, and late night walks to the main stage. He owns five times as many tie dyes than he does ties. He’s always been the friend in the group who plans the road trip, and is willing to try anything twice (except vegetables).

While it’s easy to get wrapped up in the game of life, he believes it’s important to appreciate the finer things along the way. There are many ways to “find yourself” in this life, and they are all relevant. Whether you’re searching for peace alone in the woods, or by experiencing the bliss of a music festival with twenty thousand other people, he thinks it’s important to stop and appreciate the countless experiences that this world offers.